Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MIKESHU]

I am in the process of my first job search for esl in S.Korea. There is an agency called ATI (American TESOL Insitutue) that offers a TEFL 120 course in Thailand in July, with guaranteed teacher placement for GPIK or EPIK public schools starting in August. The course is almost 1K USD, but includes room and board for 3 weeks in Thailand. Does anyone have any experience or opinions about this package. I do understand that I would have less of a degree of control regarding WHERE I was placed to teach, but I am flexible on that so long as it is not rural - and I already mentioned this to the company and that it was the only dealbreaker for me ( I know I must be flexible as a newbie, but I insist on living in an urban setting - everything else is negotiable except that...) and they said that a guarantee couldn't be made on location, but they try to accomodate teachers according to their preferences when possible ( doubtful I think...). BUT another reason, aside from guaranteed placement ( as a newbie, this is a plus - to me at least - others w/ experience I'm sure it is laughable..), that I am strongly considering signing up w/ ATI, is b/c I've wanted to visit Thailand for a long time. Despite the 40 hr/wk classes, I do believe I could have fun in Bangkok for three weeks, even w/ classes every weekday. I know its not a proper vacation, but it provides me the chance to do a in-person TESOL course (120 hr) that appears to be a very good one - something I wanted to do in person instead of online, as I want to teach ESL for many years - not just one in S.Korea - and in person courses provide better, hands on experience.
Anyways, I just wanted some other opinions on this package... I DO plan to take the course VERY seriously if I decide to take it online or in Thailand, so I'm not really looking at Thailand as a vacation in itself, but maybe a business-vacation?? or is that an oxy-moron?
Here is the URL to the site and program I am considering:
http://www.justtefl.com/spl_tesol_korea_thailand.shtml

If anyone would care to comment on this program/recruiter/I don't know what to call it, I would very much appreciate it.

Thanks in advance everyone...

Cheers~

[morrisonhotel]

[ttompatz]

Placement is NOT guaranteed.

They are simply a TESOL course in Thailand who then operate as a recruiter to sell your resume to EPIK/GEPIK.

.

[MIKESHU]

I kinda thought it sounded too good to be true..
I was leaning towards doing a thailand job hunt the 3 weeks I'd be in Bangkok for the course, and maybe pick one up and not leave, free accomadtions and tesol course at the same time could make a job hunt in thailand alot easier than it already is ?
hmmmm
probably should scatch this prospect i guess..